Heather Dinich reveals how Pac-12 media deal, Colorado impact Big 12's future expansion plans

ESPN’s Heather Dinich provided some fascinating insight into how the Pac-12’s media deal, along with the Colorado Buffaloes, are impacting the Big 12’s expansion plans.

With the Texas Longhorns and Oklahoma Sooners leaving for the SEC after this season, the Big 12 will certainly be on the hunt for some star power to replace them. However, they’re in wait and see mode at the moment, as Dinich explained on Get Up that the conference is being patient, wondering if the Pac-12 will stay together moving forward.

“Just about every other leader in college athletics is waiting to see what the Pac-12 is going to do,” explained Dinich. “Waiting for it to announce its new TV deal. That could come later this month. It might not come later until August. Nobody knows exactly when that’s going to happen, but the question is, does Colorado have the patience to wait for it? They have, according to sources, been the greatest flight risk, and growing impatient, and if that were to happen, would other dominos fall? But the bottom line is this, the Pac-12 could stay intact.

“What has to happen is that they announce their TV deal, the Presidents and Chancellors in the Big 12 say, ‘Okay, this is good enough, it’s on par with the PAC-12,’ they sign the grant of rights and everybody moves on.”

While it may have seemed unlikely when it was revealed that the USC Trojans and UCLA Bruins were headed to the Big Ten, Dinich elaborated on her reporting that the Pac-12 could remain moving forward. However, the Big 12 is ready to pounce if things go sideways for the conference, and they’re forced to evaluate other options.

“I’ve spoken with people in the Pac-12 who say they think all ten can stay together. If not, that opens the door for the Big 12 to execute its plan, which (Big 12 Commissioner) [Brett] Yormark said he would like to figure out sooner rather than later,” added Dinich. “But it is important to remember that things could stay status-quo. But all of this hinges on the Pac-12 and that TV deal.”

Alas, it’s evident the Big 12 has plans if the Pac-12 falls through, and they’re likely praying on the conference’s downfall. It’s be interesting to watch if the Pac-12 does indeed carry on, or if other conferences start picking their bones in the coming years.